In 1974, midway through NASA’s Skylab IV space mission, the three astronauts aboard purposely cut-off radio communications with mission control for 90 minutes. The incident soon became known as a “space mutiny” or a “space strike.” Either way, it was the astronauts way of protesting, among other things, their demanding work schedule, lack of free time and the design of the spacecraft. Once communications were reestablished, NASA and the crew had discussions regarding the incident for several weeks afterwards.
Among the complaints the Skylab IV crew voiced was the oppressive lack of colour in their cramped capsule. During the mission, science pilot Edward Gibson said, “I feel like I’ve been drafted into the Army with this darn brown … I’d like to get some different color T-shirts.” The NASA-issued clothing for the three astronauts consisted of a twelve-week supply of warm brown matching polyester t-shirts and pants. As Owen Garriot, a scientist aboard the earlier Skylab III mission said, “It seems to me that the color arrangement that we’ve got in here might very well have been designed by a Navy supply department or something with about as little imagination as anybody I can imagine!”
With the ever-increasing length of space flights, more and more focus is being directed to the design of space vehicle environments. This involves looking at everything from aesthetics and ergonomics to materials and colour schemes. "For astronauts traveling vast distances, perhaps on a trip to Mars, says Loren Grush, science reporter for The Verge, "the design of a spacecraft’s interior could be a critical tool for keeping people happy and healthy during the journey. Whether in outer space or on earth, the dynamics of people living in confined spaces for prolonged periods of time is complicated. If space travel is to be a productive and worthwhile venture, further studies of human tolerances are essential.
